Police investigate mass organizations believed to be ‘anti-Pancasila’

BINTANGNEWS.com –The National Police
are investigating a number of organizations believed to be acting against the
state ideology of Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, a day after the

government banned Islamic organization Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI).

“There are some organizations
[suspected of acting against the Pancasila]. We are investigating them,” said
National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Setyo Wasisto as reported by Antara.

Signed on July 10, presidential regulation in
lieu of law (Perppu) No.2/2017 on Mass Organizations gives the government the
power to disband an organization without due process and prohibits any
organization to adopt and spread an ideology contradicting Pancasila.

Police are communicating with the Law and
Human Rights Ministry and the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security
Affairs Ministry in their investigation into the organizations.

On Wednesday, the government banned HTI, an
organization that aims to establish a global Islamic caliphate, claiming its
actions were not in line with Pancasila — the foundation of Indonesia’s
pluralistic society.

Rights activists consider the move
“undemocratic” and threatened the freedom of assembly and association.

Amnesty International Indonesia chairman
Usman Hamid said banning HTI would instead push some of its most conservative
members to join extreme, violent groups operating underground, and this would
eventually bring further threats to the country.***